RN121-Flag Day! The History Of Old Glory - Right Now with Ann Vandersteel

Today, we as Americans come together to honor and reflect on our nation’s flag, the proud symbol that has inspired us throughout our history, embodying our spirit of unity, resilience, and identity.
Let's turn our attention to the Grand Union Flag. This flag was first raised on December 3, 1775, by the Continental Army under General George Washington. At this critical moment, the 13 original colonies were fighting as a united front. This flag’s design—a combination of thirteen red and white alternating stripes representing the thirteen colonies and the British Union Jack in the canton—reflected this duality. The stripes signified unity among the colonies, while the Union Jack symbolized continued allegiance to the British crown and hopes for a peaceful resolution within the Empire.


A common misconception about our flag pertains to the colors red, white, and blue. Many believe that these colors were chosen for symbolic meanings—red for valor, white for purity, and blue for vigilance. However, these meanings were ascribed years later. It is more pragmatically thought that red, white, and blue were chosen simply because they were the king's colors.


Next, let us turn our attention to another significant flag in our nation’s history—Washington's Headquarters Flag. During the harsh winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge, General George Washington and his Continental Army faced severe hardships. Despite these immense challenges, this period was crucial for the army's training and cohesion, largely thanks to Baron von Steuben.


Washington’s Headquarters Flag is notable for its simplicity and distinctive design. The entire field of the flag is blue, featuring 13 white six-pointed stars arranged in a pattern. This design marked the first use of the multi-star pattern as an American flag, a precursor to the stars on our current flag. Unlike today’s five-pointed stars, the six-pointed stars in this flag may have been influenced by European heraldic traditions. It’s also likely that Washington specified six-pointed stars to thank and pay homage to Haym Salomon, a Jewish patriot who provided crucial financial support for the war.


This flag carried a profound meaning. Today, a replica of this flag hangs in front of Washington's headquarters at Valley Forge, commemorating his leadership and the resilience of his troops during this pivotal period.
As the colonies’ desire for independence increased, the need for a new symbol became apparent. The Union Jack’s presence on the Grand Union Flag became increasingly incongruent with their quest for independence. This led to the Flag Resolution of 1777, passed by the Continental Congress on June 14 of that year, which established the first official national flag. Its design comprised 13 stripes, alternating red and white, and a union of 13 white stars arranged in a circle on a blue field. An interesting detail is that the outermost stripes are specified to be red.


The Stars and Stripes emerged as a powerful symbol of the 13 colonies' unity and resolve.

In conclusion, the development and adoption of the American flag reflect our nation's journey from a collection of colonies to a united, independent country. The flags used during the Revolutionary War, such as Washington's Headquarters Flag and the Grand Union Flag, played crucial roles in rallying unity and resolve. The Stars and Stripes, adopted in 1777, embodied the emerging identity of the United States and continues to serve as a powerful emblem of our nation's enduring spirit and values.

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Starring: Ann Vandersteel